Further financial-close delay in prospect for 28 renewables bidders
26 July 2012: Engineering News Online: The 28 renewable-energy project developers identified in December as preferred bidders, following the first bid window under South Africa’s R100-billion Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP), have been notified that the timing of financia
State urged to consider centralised project management
27 July 2012: Business Day Online: The government should consider centralised project management for its infrastructure rollout programme, to counter the risks of slipping schedules and escalating costs, says Ken Robinson, a senior executive at Accenture. State-owned enterprises such as Eskom and Trans
India encourages SA firms to participate in big renewables push
23 July 2012: Engineering News Online: India has invited South African renewable-energy developers and suppliers to consider participation in its ambitions plan to add 30 000 MW of additional renewables capacity by 2017. The fast-growing Asian economy already has 25 000 MW of installed renewables capacity
Third renewables bid window to open ‘soon’, despite window-one delay
23 July 2012: Engineering News Online: The schedule and capacity allocation for the third bid window under South Africa’s R100-billion Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) would be confirmed “soon”, notwithstanding the delay to the finalisation of the 28 window-one projects
Eskom to finalise tariff application by August
19 July 2012: Engineering News Online: National power producer Eskom would submit its tariff application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) by August, CE Brian Dames said this week. He told Engineering News Online that the utility was in the process of finalising its third multiy
China Moves into Chile's PV Sector with 300MW
16 July 2012: PV Insider Online: “What is Chile doing that South Africa isn’t?” China is to build a 300MW solar photovoltaic power plant project in Chile with a total reported investment of US$900m. The project is being driven by Sky Solar Group, a Shanghai-based specialist in PV. This
The Green Economy Accord
SAPVIA was a signatory to The Green Economy Accord which was launched at COP17 at the end of last year. The Green Economy Accord is an agreement between government, business and labour, committing each to tangible targets in achieving low carbon based economic development growth through renewable energy.
Eskom plans yet more hikes
14 July 2012: Business Times Online: Eskom, which generates about 95% of South Africa’s power, said the level of increases would depend on some government decisions, according to a Reuters report, which cited a confidential draft document submitted to Treasury and the South African Local Government
Power to, and from, the people
11 July 2012: Techcentral Online: Solar power generation is a great fit for sunny SA. But for a long time it’s been too expensive for individuals, and even most businesses, to consider. The price of installation and maintenance is falling and equipment is becoming more efficient, but with the storage
Into Thin Air: The Disappearance of Dozens of Chinese Solar Companies
11 July 2012: Renewable Energy World Online: The bankruptcies of roughly two dozen U.S. and European photovoltaic manufacturers have framed much of the story about an oversupply of solar panels and crashing prices over the past year. What’s less known is the impact on the PV manufacturing industry i